Fernando Gonzales y Loyola

Fernando Gonzales y Loyola (17 March 1537-16 June 1603) was a Spanish general who commanded Fort Francisco de las Carolinas (present-day Charleston, South Carolina). In 1585 he was forced from the colony after fierce Cherokee Nations attacks.

Biography
Fernando Gonzales y Loyola was born in Cuenca Province in Spain, and he joined the Spanish army in 1557. He was sent to the Americas while a Captain in the Spanish Army, and he was made the commander of Fort Francisco de las Carolinas in present-day Charleston, South Carolina. He bolstered the defenses with 1,200 troops and 3 ships, plus many naval guns. Under his command, they repulsed an English assault on the fort in 1583, but in 1585 Gonzales was ordered to retreat after many fierce Cherokee attacks. Gonzales left for Puerto Rico, where he commanded the garrison of Fort Palermo until his death at the age of 65.